On 30 September 2025, 1:00 - 2:00 PM CET , the recurring seminar of the Water Security Research Group at IIASA will host:

Mali Nisnik

The New School of the Environment, Tel Aviv University

For a lecture on:

Global Sugar Production: Flows, Circularity, and Hidden Hotspots of Water Insecurity

Sugarcane and sugar beet are dominant crops cultivated for industrial sugar production, together accounting for about one-quarter of global agricultural harvest mass, surpassing major grains. Despite significant environmental impacts and health risks associated with sugar consumption, production continues to rise. These trends underscore the need for a global quantification and analysis of sugar’s supply chains, biomass allocation, and sectoral usage. This master’s thesis applies Material Flow Analysis (MFA) to trace the global supply chains of sugar, from cultivation to end use, alongside a parallel MFA of water use that links crop-level inputs to water stress. Together, these analyses highlight sugar’s role in the food-water-energy nexus, emphasizing the importance of systemic approaches to sustainability.

Join the seminar via Microsoft Teams

Meeting ID: 334 371 644 388 1

Passcode: FA6vf6xS